Busy long weekend

Coming back from a busy long weekend, which is why I'm so late with these posts.  Trying to get back on schedule.


Sunday's game felt like a must-win.  I didn't want to get broomed by a divisional opponent.  The losing streak was getting to be worrisome.  It was good to see the determination.  They really stuck with this one, as it took a couple extra innings to pull it out.  And Koji stepping in when Kimbrel was obviously unavailable after Saturday was huge.  I don't know about you, but I for one am very much enjoying Dustin Pedroia's resurgence.


I missed yesterday's game because I had to attend a wake up in Maine.  But I did catch most of it on the radio.  How huge has Steven Wright been this year?  Could he possibly start the All Star game?  How many Sox could make the team, by the way?  You could make a case for a LOT of guys on this team to be on the All Star team. 


Beyond excited for ERod's 2016 debut tonight.  Hope I get outta work on time so I can walk the dog, hit the gym, cook dinner and settle in for it.  THAT sounds like a primo night to me.

A tough one

Yesterday's game was a tough one.  Hate to cough up a 4 run lead, only to re-take the lead and then cough that one up.  I didn't realize that Tazawa had such brutal numbers against Toronto over the course of his career.  

They say in baseball, just by showing up for the season you automatically win 60 and lose 60.  So, it's what you do in those other 42 games that determines your season.  Yesterday felt like they lost one of those 42.  Tough one to take, especially since they should've been out of trouble on the ground ball that wound up ending it.

Mookie just tripled to break up Dickey's no hitter.  Hopefully we can put together a comeback here and end this little losing streak before it gets to be a problem.

Last night and tonight - sorry

I went to the game last night.  Primarily to see Wade Boggs get his # retired.  When I was a little kid and didn't know any better he was my favorite player.  I heard a story once that he told Mike Gardiner, a guy who briefly pitched for the Sox, to make sure that he pitched hitters in a way that they wouldn't hit the ball to him.  Funny the weird shit you hear.  Any way, i disagree with the morning guys on EEI, I love the '86 team and have a lot of affection for them and have enjoyed having them around this week.  Of course I was 7 years old and just starting to get obsessed with the Red Sox that season, so it was pretty optimal timing.

While we're talking about that team can the current ownership PLEASE stop forcing Roger Clemens down our throats?  This has been going on for a few years now.  Henry & Werner, listen up - we hate Roger Clemens and don't want to see him.  Stop inviting him to shit.

Anyways, last night's game sucked because JBJ's hit streak ended and Buchholz Buchholzed his way outta the rotation. So at least there's some silver lining.

Tonight's game. Joe Kelly came back to earth.  Sanchez took on our lineup pretty well.  I hate how Farrell let the game end without letting Papi hit. I get it that if he hits for Vazquez and goners sending tie the game, but Christ almighty what was the plan to get him an at bat if Vazquez reached?  Have him hit for Mookie?  For Pedroia?  For Hanley?  For Shaw?  (Thank God Farrell has kicked his weird habit of hitting for Shaw).  Just made no sense.  Didn't hear Farrell's post game explanation, but I can't imagine whatever he used as an excuse made any sense.

So late

Coukd I be later with this blog?  I was busy at work today, sue me!

Missed a lot of last night's game going to hear author Michael Tougias, author of "Their Finest Hours" speak about the book and the movie.  Fantastic stuff.  Can't elaborate at the moment because I'm at the game for Wade Boggs # retirement, and I hate being on my phone at the game.  Buchholz got through 1, wowwwww.

As far as last night's game, it was JBJ, X and the relentless offense and Steven Wright AGAIN.  That's been a recipe that's been working so far this year.

Okay, back to the game.

The hits keep comin'

I had to work a lot later than usual today so I'll try to keep this blog less angry than it should be.  Could be tough considering I'm blogging from the orange line.

Missed the beginning of the game last night meeting with our new dog walker.  The pup can't seem to kick her rock eating habit and last week got really sick, so daycare is done and it's on to try a dog walker.  Fingers crossed.

As far as the game itself I agree with Dave O'Brien's description of it as a "tidy" victory.  The Price was fine, the team HR streak came to an end but the JBJ and X hitting streaks did not.  They won.  That's all that really matters.  Agree with Mut who said he thought the game was a little lopsided for Koji in the 8th.  Farrell burning out Koji and Tazawa has gotta rank near the top of the concern list, especially now with Carson Smith gone for the year.  I liked Matt Barnes' 9th inning a lot.  Maybe he's emerging as a guy to use in high leverage situations?  Let's hope so. 

My only other complaint is with NESN. Why are they subjecting us to Steve Lyons during an otherwise very enjoyable year so far?  What did we do to deserve that?

A near cycle

Did anyone else think Papi's ball was gonna rattle around in the triangle on Sunday afternoon?  We were all definitely bummed when it didn't.  Thank God we had the memory of that fan laying out for Papi's earlier ground rule double and not even coming close while eating shit in the process.  I think I was still chuckling when Papi came up looking for the cycle.


No game last night so I did some work around the house, walked the dog (who is STILL recovering from being sick - poor pup), went to the gym, watched Jeopardy and read.  Almost done with "The Finest Hours" by Michael Tougias, and am looking forward to hearing the author speak tomorrow night.  Been a very interesting book, even for someone with no real nautical knowledge/understanding.


Debating going to the game Thursday.  Loved Wade Boggs as a little kid.  The Rockies are one of 2 teams in MLB I've never seen in person (the Giants are the other one).  And ticket prices are reasonable.  The one downside?  Buchholz is scheduled to pitch. 

If you've waited this long, you get 2 for 1

Like the title says....,here goes....

I'm getting ready for bed, so I'll do the best I can

Last night's game ....Clay Buchholz should've been better. I also should've been better, knowing that he is who he is.

Tonight's game, which is almost last night's game given how late it is....I went to the game and had a blast.  If only Joe Kelly could've held on for that elusive no no I've been trying to attend my whole life.  Maybe tomorrow JBJ gets his hit streak going through the intentional and unintentional intentional walks early and Mookie hit a a few more homers ;-)

The tent is off

No game last night (I mean, there was NBA playoffs but once the Celtics are done so am I.  Do people watch the NBA when it's not their team?  Or the NHL?  I haven't in YEARS.  Hate how long the playoffs take in the NBA - does the first round really need to be 7 games?  When it was 5 it was SO much better - and there are WAY too many teams in the NHL - Florida has TWO teams?) so after the gym the gf and I popped over to the Slumbrew beer tent, or since the tent is now down for the summer, the Slumbrew Beer Garden.  I still call it the beer tent because it's just easier. 


I'm pumped the tent is down, because now I can bring my dog there.  Dog friendly drinking establishments are sadly few and far between, so it's good to have one back for the outdoor season in Slumbrew, in addition to nearby Nightshift.  I'm also pumped that Slumbrew has some new beers available.  I haven't been to the beer tent in a couple months, so I apologize if this is old news.  But I tried the Scooter last night, which is a Strawberry wheat beer.  It was okay.  I got a growler of the Niles Crane, a light blonde ale, which I had when I got home and I liked a lot more.  I'm a huge fan of their signature Happy Sol and their Porter Square porter, but it's great to see them coming out with more stuff.  I also saw a White IPA available that I hadn't seen before (Hare Brained) and a Gose if that's your thing (The Destroyer).  Supposed to do some day drinking this weekend (shocker) and I just may make my way back there at some point.


Glad that Tito will be back in the house for Tek and Wake going into the Sox HOF tonight, since he was such a big part of their success.  Hopefully he'll have his own ceremony at some point (and I wouldn't mind if he were still the manager here).  I know D&C&M like to tool on the Sox and Pats HOF, and sure maybe they're a little cheesy, but whatever.  They're for the fans.  Nothing wrong with commemorating and celebrating the career of someone you enjoyed spending hours, days, months and years watching and following - and we certainly spent a lot of time with the careers of Tek, Wake and Kevin Faulk.  It's what we like to do and it's why D&C&M are able to make such lucrative livings.  So congrats to Tek and Wake this weekend and Kevin Faulk in the fall.  All deserving honorees, no matter what curmudgeonly radio hosts say. 


Now if we could only do something about the Sox' starting pitcher tonight....
   

We got one

A lotta people have pointed out that the Sox have made their bones playing mostly creampuffs on their schedule so far this year.  While I have to agree, it's still their job to go out and beat those teams.  As bad as they are, they get paid too.  It's up to the Sox to take care of business against them, and for the most part they have. 


So even though the Royals haven't gotten off to the best of starts this year, they are the champs and that carries something with it.  The Sox rolling in with a share of first place seemed to wake up the Royals a little bit (not that I've watched many of their games, but their record speaks for their level of play to this point).  Is it discouraging that we dropped 2 out of 3 to the first quality team we've faced in a while (not sure where to count the Astros)?  Not yet.  Still a long way to go.  Obviously I would've preferred taking 2 out of 3, but if a few close plays go our way in the day game yesterday we would've done just that.  So I'll hold off on sounding the alarms.  For now.


Loved that David Price got us within a few outs of playing a double header and not using the bullpen (I suppose we can thank Steven Wright for that as well).  How rare is that?  Loved JBJ doing his thing and Mookie making a potentially game-saving play in RF late in the game, not to mention his homer earlier in the game.  Love the resiliency of bouncing back after losing the first game.


Lot to be pleased about after last night's game.  And when there's a lot to be pleased about the last person I generally want to see is Clay Buchholz.  Which is what we're faced with tomorrow.  At least it'll be the weekend. 

Most of a series wrapped in one

Last night's game:  Tough 8th inning, Koji throwing the ball away pretty much eliminated any chance of a comeback.  Porcello seemed to be battling himself.

Today's game: I missed most of it because I was working.  I love random weekday games but hate that I have to miss a lot of them.  Encouraged by Steven Wright's bounce back.

Tonight's game:  I've been watching and love Eck talking about the '83 Sox always tryin to go bridge and Juan Marichal being his hero, but I have also had to deal with a sick dog.  Poor pup I feel so bad for her.  She puked all over the kitchen today.  She's been eating rocks a lot lately, and I think that might be the etiology of all this.  Poor pup. :-(

No game, no luck

I'm blogging about last night's game during tonight's game, so I'll make this quick.  No game last night, so I folded laundry, scraped wallpaper off the wall and watched Family Guy on DVR.  Uneventful.

Really sucks about the Celtics lack of luck of the Irish tonight.  I thought and hoped this time it would be different.  Having the #3 pick in a 2 player draft sucks.  No one should be surprised though.  This is how it always has been and apparently always will be for the C's in the lottery.  Sucks.  Danny's really got a tough task ahead.

Taking some solace that Eck is doing the game tonight.  Easily the most entertaining/best broadcaster in the game.  Would rather have the #1 pick, but it'll do for tonight.

6-1 home stand

3 out of 4 from Houston.  JBJ's streak hits 21 games.  Xander with a moon shot.  Love it all.

Had to miss some of the game yesterday with puppy sitting duty.  But I saw Bogaerts' shot and I'm glad for that.  Listened to a couple innings outside with a couple beers since it was so nice out.  Had to leave early for The Sheila Divine free show in Harvard Square, which was at 5:00 but of course MLB can't get their games to be less than 17 hours long.  Aggravating.  Worth it though, great set from The Sheilas.

Got tickets for Saturday's game and I am PUMPED.  Perfect 4:00 start time on what is supposed to be a gorgeous day.  Can't wait.  If Farrell rigs the rotation so that Buchholz ends up pitching will someone come bail me out of prison?  Because I will wind up going on some sort of criminal rampage.

2 for 1

Okay I set a new record for lateness with this blog entry.  But in my defense in dog sitting this weekend and have had 3 dogs to watch since last night.  So I'll do last night's game and this afternoon's.

It was too bad to see Stephen Wright struggle for the first time last night.  But I liked that we almost came back.  We're not gonna be giving up. That's the kind of team I want to watch all summer.

And it paid off today when Buchholz dug us a hole that only Papi could dig us out of.  He really is unbelievable huh?  Huge performance today.  Bogaerts too, probably the unsung hero for the game.  Ok, sorry to cut this short but I'm at the bar right now and I hate being on my phone at the bar.  So make do with this lame entry and I'll try to do better after tomorrow's game.  Thank God it's not a Sunday night baseball game.

It's pronounced "AERO"...

Watched last night's game at the bar since it was trivia night at Pizza Regina.  Price obviously looked really good and that was a relief given how he's struggled.  And the offense is a train that's showing no signs of slowing down.  Friggin love it.

The story of last night was how badly my trivia team (The Hazy Flashbacks) got jobbed at trivia last night!  The guy hosting the trivia thought he was Shecky Greene and kept trying to make stupid jokes.  Totally interfered with his hosting duties. Guy didn't know the word "ubiquitous".  Thought you had to be literate to host trivia.  Anyway, he pronounced the word "aero" the way one would normally pronounce "aero", and it fucked us up on the final question. (What company named 'The Aero (only he said ARROW!) incorporated in Chicago in 1917?  Thinking he said "arrow", we went with Wrigley, since they have arrows on their packs of gum.  No, he said "aero", but pronounced it like a dickhead.  It was Boeing.  We had the answer once he clarified but by then it was too late, we had handed out answer in.  We would've won.  That asshole cost us a $25 pizza gift card.  Ah well.  Thanks for letting me bitch for a while.  Time for a beer and to get ready for new co-ace (with Rick Porcello) Steven Wright.

I've seen this episode...

Missed the start of the game last night because I was checking out Winter Hill Brewing Company in.....well, I'll let you guess where.  Had their German style kolsch (their signature beer) and the IPA, as well as their fried pickle chips.  Big fan of this place.  If you're looking for local, independent breweries to try (and you should be) I would recommend this one, although parking around there is very tough.  Not too long a walk or uber ride from Assembly if you're near that area.


So about last night's game.  What is there to say?  It's been the JBJ show lately and I couldn't be more pleased.  Guy has been on fire.  Hope it continues.  He's been absolutely raking and I love it.  Going to trivia tonight but will be paying close attention to see if Price can take Pedroia's mechanics advice and see if that helps get him straightened out.  JBJ will take care of the rest...

Plenty of "O" for Sean O

Little luck of the Irish for that Sean O'Sullivan last night.  Just show up and get a dozen runs of support?  Big boy like that looked like he could throw all night.  You don't see many Ws next to guys who gave up 12 hits.  He should get another start before Eduardo comes back I imagine.

Obviously love this offense and love how it's gettin goin early.  Get the starters outta the game, work on the bullpen, tire them out for the rest of the series.  The formula has been working.

I think Dave O'Brien wet himself over Hanley's home run.  And I'm okay with that.  I wet myself too.  I don't care about exit velocity or distance or anything like that though.  I know a shot when I see one.  I hope NESN and WEEI don't plan on forcing distance and exit velocity on us all season long.

I guess it had been a while since Kimbrel pitched so he needed the work.  My greatest fear in these one sided games is Farrell over managing.  And Pedroia should've taken 2nd if they're playing behind him down only 8! It's Fenway Park! No lead is safe!  Oh well, tough to pick nits with last night's game so I'll leave it alone.  Ace Porcello goin for the sweep tonight!

JB J J J J J J

One J for each rbi...

Another entry being written during the current night's game.  Ugh, I gotta get better.  It's called time management people!

Luckily for me, the story of the game last night was easy enough.  The offense! Especially JBJ (and I'm not talking about his dropped fly ball, although that was weird, wasn't it?).

My crazy white haired guy behind home plate from the road trip seems to have disappeared, and he appears to have taken Drinkwater with him..

Ok, Mookie just went yard, time to focus on tonight's game.

The Wright Stuff

I've got a few minutes before a meeting, so I'll crank out a quick entry here...


How long can Stephen Wright keep this up?  Shades of Tim Wakefield circa 1995 goin on.  And I love it.  Tough to top last night's performance, but looking forward to seeing him give it a shot next time out.  He was just dazzling last night.  And I heard he was firing off one-liners in the dugout in between innings too....


2 HRs from Papi last night.  The whispers about his possible PED use are all over sports radio now (of course).  Who knows if he's using PEDs now or not, but it's unfortunately simply impossible to categorically say he isn't.  And that's his fault.  I'm not questioning the validity of his accomplishments so far this season (quite the contrary, I'm rather enjoying them) but I'm not just dismissing out of hand anyone who does so.  I can't.  No one can.  That's just the way it is.


I for one am ecstatic that the Sox now get a little break from these Sunday night games.  They are brutal!  Sunday nights I want to watch Family Guy and then go the hell to bed.  Not watch and listen to Jessica Mendoza struggle to distinguish a knuckleball from a fastball. 


Glad the Sox took the last game.  Should've have Friday night's game as well but Ron Kulpa decided to Ron Kulpa (as he is wont to do).  Back home for a while now, time to see what this offense can do against Sonny Gray.

Damn I'm late

Shit, sorry for the super late entry (if anyone's actually reading).  Been a busy day of yard work, going to the gym and walking the dog.  Watching tonight's game as I write this, loved seeing Pedroia's 2 run bomb.  Couple quick notes on yesterday's loss.

My wild haired old dude was behind home plate again last night and today.  He appears to be wearing sunglasses at this night game.  Anyone know who I'm talking about?

Price pitched like shit.  I hate his post game interviews too where he seems to think he's pitching fine.  Gregorious just stuck his bat out and cleared the bases.  Price has to get that guy in that spot.  He just has to.

This O'Sullivan guy looks friggin huge.  I dunno what it is.

Ok, let's not get swept tonight.  Sound good?

Sorry this entry is late (if anyone's actually reading).  Slept a little late, went for a scamper, went for some beers and am actually just getting to this afternoon's game now (it's the 4th inning - had it in the radio driving home from getting pizza and beers).

Porcello didn't have his best stuff last night, but he still was able to suck it up and get through 7.  We may have something with him this year.

I usually hate when they have guests in the booth, but I'll make an exception for Alex Speier last night.  I always feel smarter after listening to him.

My guy with the wild hair was sitting in the expensive seats behind home plate last night.  And I see that he's there again today.  I gotta find out this guy's deal.  Does he work for the team?  Remember when Theo sat back there for every game, back in like '03?  Even that was only home games.  Am I the only one curious about/noticing him?

Ok, Porcello, Alex Speier and wild white haired guy were not the story of last night's game.  It was Ron Kulpa.  The same guy who flopped around like a fish out of water/European soccer player when Crazy Carl Everett barely grazed him with his head (on family day) back in 2000 or 2001 against the Bobby Valentine-led Mets at Fenway.  So he likes the attention.  My dad said he seems like the kind of guy who thinks because he's the umpire he's the show.  Kinda like Country Joe West.  Based on him staring down Ortiz after he ridiculously rung him up last night I gotta say I agree.  Those calls were ridiculous.  Crazy to see Hanley holding back Papi from killing Kulpa.  If Hanley is the voice of reason we're in trouble.  Frustrating end to a game they could/should have won.  It'll be interesting to see if John Wayne Farrell gets suspended for returning to the field after getting tossed (again to keep Ortiz from killing Kulpa).  He should've taken a page from his Sox predecessor Valentine and rocked the glasses and fake mustache.

Ok onto today's game. Let's do this Price.

Henry Owens pitched like a "HO"

Did anyone else notice that Henry Owens' initials are stitched prominently on his glove?  Kind of fitting given the way he pitched last night.  I love those crafty lefty types, the Jamie Moyer, Kenny Rogers, David Wells types.  I had high hopes that Owens might turn out to be one of those kinds of guys.  He still might, of course, but I'm starting to get discouraged.  12 walks in 3 innings (or whatever it was) will do that to me I guess.

How about Jackie "With that glove PLEASE just let him hit .240" Bradley, Jr.???

Trying not to get too excited about this team yet but it is pretty good to go into a first place team's city and take 2 of 3 on the way to play the hapless Yanks.

Crazy white haired Sox fan was back sitting behind the plate again last night.  I took a picture but can't figure out how to post it on here.  I'm new at this and I'm pretty much Johnny Low Tech, so cut me some slack!  Keep your eyes peeled for this cat this weekend in New York.  If he can afford those behind home plate seats we'll we're dealing with a real high roller.

Brett Lawrie is doing a sweet Chris Sabo imitation for Chicago these days.

Speaking of going into a first place team's city, it was interesting that there were 4 first place teams in the same city for the first time in MLB History last night, but someone needs to tell Steve Lyons I heard him the first 10 times he said it.

Missed the start of the game coming back from getting terrible margaritas for cinco de mayo at a place in the rose (not the Mexican place - they were way too crowded obvi) but was interested to hear Rob Manfred with O'Brien & Lyons.  Glad to hear he's aware that these games are getting to be painfully long.  Nice to see the Sox and Sox respond by turning around their 9 inning game in a tidy 3:57.

Speaking of Manfred, my gf asked me who he was and I told her the commissioner of MLB.  Which led to this exchange:

Me: "Do you know who the commissioner of the NHL is?

Gf: "No."

Me: "Do you know who the commissioner of the NBA is?"

Gf: "No."

Me: "Do you know who the commissioner of the NFL is?"

Gf:  "Roger Goodell"

I guess being a huge asshole does get you some notoriety.

TRIVIA: Who replaced Yaz in LF in his final game with the Sox?

Buchholz actually pitched well?

Did everyone see what I saw last night?  Did Clay Buchholz actually pitch well?  And against a first place team??  Now, obviously the White Sox aren't in first place because of their potent lineup.  Their order is littered with guys I didn't even know were still in the league (Dioner Navarro?  Jimmy Rollins?  Austin Jackson?).  But still, first place is first place.  And Buchholz is Buchholz.  Does this mean he's figured things out?  I wouldn't say that yet, but there seems to be hope.


Classic John Farrell with the dry h ump of Carson Smith.  The guy's just coming back from an arm injury, and doesn't have the most fluid delivery to begin with.  Maybe don't do your whole "warm the guy up and then don't use him the day after he made his season debut coming back from an arm injury" thing, John.


There was an older pink-faced Sox fan dude with white Larry Fine hair sitting behind home plate last night.  I know I've seen him sitting in similar seats at Fenway.  Anyone know this guy?  I didn't take a picture because I was feeling kinda lazy but maybe tonight.  Maybe he's a whacky, road-travelling Drinkwater?  Speaking of Drinkwater, is it me or has he missed more games than usual this year?


Dave O'Brien shared an anecdote of White Sox HOF'er Luke Appling goin' yard in an old-timer's game at age 75.  Impressive story, but it just makes me wonder why don't you see Old Timer's games anymore?  Do other teams do them and the Sox just don't for some reason?  I'd pay good money to see Dewey dig in against that crabby old Gossage.  You tellin' me Dewey's not takin' him deep?  Bitch please..